The father and brother of a deceased man have filed suit against the driver who they claim swerved into the man's lane, killing him.
James and Bobby D. Pearson claim Bobby W. Pearson was driving a three-wheeled motorcycle north on Illinois State Route 159 north of its intersection with White Oak Drive on Aug. 15, 2008, when defendant Joseph D. Lanham, who was driving south on the same road, swerved into Bobby W. Pearson's lane of traffic and collided with his motorcycle.
Because of injuries he sustained during the collision, Bobby W. Pearson died and his father and brother lost his society and companionship and incurred ambulance and medical costs, according to the complaint filed July 20 in St. Clair County Circuit Court.
The Pearsons blame Lanham for causing the collision, saying he negligently failed to pass Bobby Pearson's motorcycle to the right side of the highway, failed to keep his vehicle on the right half of the road, failed to maintain a proper lookout, failed to keep his vehicle under proper control and failed to reduce his speed to avoid a collision.
In their two-count complaint, the Pearsons are seeking a judgment of more than $100,000, plus costs.
Matthew J. Marlen of Belleville will be representing them.
St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 10-L-370.
Highway 159 fatality leads to lawsuit
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